Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that can develop during pregnancy. It occurs when your body cannot produce enough insulin to meet the increased needs during pregnancy, leading to high blood sugar (glucose) levels.
While the condition typically resolves after childbirth, women who have had gestational diabetes are at higher risk for developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
Key points about gestational diabetes:
- Causes: It’s believed to be related to hormonal changes in pregnancy, which can make the body less responsive to insulin. This can lead to insulin resistance, where the body doesn’t use insulin properly.
- Risk
Factors:
- Being overweight or obese
- Having
a family history of diabetes
- Being
over the age of 25
- Had
gestational diabetes in a previous pregnancy
- Having
high blood pressure
- Ethnic background (higher risk in Hispanic, Black, Native American, and Asian American populations)
- Symptoms: Gestational diabetes often has no noticeable symptoms, which is why routine screening during pregnancy is important. In some cases, you may experience increased thirst, frequent urination, and fatigue.
- Diagnosis: It’s usually diagnosed through blood tests. Most pregnant women are screened between 24 and 28 weeks of pregnancy with an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).
- Treatment:
- Diet and Exercise: A healthy eating plan and regular physical activity can help control blood sugar levels.
- Monitoring: Regular blood sugar monitoring is essential to keep track of your glucose levels.
- Medication: If diet and exercise aren’t enough to control blood sugar, insulin or other medications may be prescribed.
- Risks
to Mother and Baby:
- For the Mother: There’s an increased risk of high blood pressure, preeclampsia, and the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
- For the Baby: The baby may be at risk of high birth weight (macrosomia), premature birth, low blood sugar after birth, and respiratory problems.
- After Pregnancy: It’s important for women who’ve had gestational diabetes for regular monitoring of their blood sugar levels after childbirth.
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